Hanoi lotto is a widely played lottery game that raises funds for social projects across Vietnam. Unfortunately, however, its addictive nature may lead to financial difficulties for some and draw illegal gambling operators away from official lottery game and reduce government revenue. As a result, Vietnamese government has taken measures to combat these issues.
Hanoi Lottery (hwyhaany) is a straightforward game of chance in which buyers select six numbers from 1 to 45 for VND10,000 per ticket, and winning combinations are drawn randomly each Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday evening; otherwise the jackpot rolls over. Vietlott, an indirect subsidiary of Malaysia-based Berjaya Corp Bhd runs the game.
Thousands of Vietnamese hawk lottery tickets as a source of income. Most are women, the elderly or those living with physical disabilities displaced from professional jobs after the economy crashed – giving rise to intense competition with young people whose parents can support them financially.
Some individuals rely on selling lottery tickets as their sole source of income in Vietnam due to its inadequate social security system, thus opting for this petty trade rather than engaging in socially degrading acts such as begging. Huong, a single mother from Saigon who sells about 250 lottery tickets each day to make ends meet and live comfortably with her baby daughter is an example of such an individual.
Lotteries agents occupy streets and sidewalks of Hanoi’s downtown area as well as some shopping malls, waiting patiently for customers. Unfortunately, they often encounter discrimination and abuse by local residents who complain that the vendors disturb the peace and cause traffic jams; some vendors even report being robbed by locals or attacked by drunk patrons.
Despite these obstacles, lottery sales in the southern region surpassed VND35 trillion ($1.5 billion) during the first quarter of this year according to the Southern Lottery Council. Sales increased rapidly across Soc Trang, Bac Lieu, An Giang and Tay Ninh provinces.
According to the council, consumption rates of lottery tickets in southern provinces had reached 98% during this period. This represented a substantial rise from last year when only 78% were sold across all provinces in this region.
Trinh suggested that lottery companies ask their agents to purchase back unsold tickets and increase commission rates, in addition to offering safe housing and health coverage for ticket sellers living in small rooms prone to sexual exploitation and other crimes, in local parishes. According to Catholic News Agency research, there are over 400,000 registered lottery agents nationwide; of which approximately 200,000 underage lottery sellers reside as well as approximately 30,000 female agents; all are vulnerable to sexual exploitation, drug addiction, and forms of violence against them.